Chapter 626: The Ultimate Divine Battle, Part Fifteen
"Why should a godhead this powerful go to such a lowborn woman? Father! Why couldn't you have granted me a stronger godhead? Now that you've reached the level of a Divine King, couldn't you just give me your mightiest Shura godhead?"
This thought flashed through Tang Wulin's mind, though the intensity of the battle didn't allow him time to dwell on it. Born into privilege and blessed with the best talents on Douluo Continent, Tang Wulin never understood that, whether in martial spirit or godhood, ultimate strength was always determined by the one who wielded it.
The same martial spirit could either rise to the rank of the continent's most formidable beast martial spirit in one person's hands or fall to defeat by a common soul master in another's. Tang Wulin was indeed a top tier genius, raised by the best forces Douluo Continent had to offer, but the precious time he'd wasted in following Tang San's "Absolute Tang Sect" plan left him with few practical skills. He had focused solely on cultivation, neglecting real battle experience. Later, when Tang San pushed him to inherit his godhead, he was granted divine techniques yet learning techniques and wielding them expertly in battle are worlds apart.
Unlike him, Huo Yuhao had been training under Ye Wen's tutelage and fighting relentlessly. When she saw a slight opening in Tang Wulin's defense, she landed a powerful strike that sent him hurtling back. But she did not rush to finish him off.
After all, true warriors know there is power in restraint.
Huo Yuhao thought, What good is it to kill him so easily? This man dared harm my beloved master an instant death would be far too merciful.
With that, she decided to attack him at his core. A scornful smirk spread across her lips.
"A 'Son of the Gods'?" "A natural born privilege?" "A pitiful excuse for a god and you think you deserve it?"
Though the Sea God armor offered impressive protection, Tang Wulin still felt a rush of suffocating pain. He stood up from the rubble with difficulty, considering his next move. His clash with Huo Yuhao had shown him that he could not overcome her in close combat. He'd need a momentary lapse in her defenses to use his concealed weapon the hidden art of the Tang Sect: secret weapons.
Yet, Huo Yuhao's cutting words made it nearly impossible for him to keep his resentment in check. In a burst of petulant frustration, he blurted, "What I said is true! The strong and the strong's descendants are born superior! As the son of a god, I deserve that!"
Huo Yuhao's look of disdain grew darker, even amused.
"That's why we'll never see eye to eye, Tang Wulin.
"You were born into everything this world has to offer. I was born to a Title Douluo, but that man…he was never fit to be my father."
Recalling her father, Dai Hao, filled Huo Yuhao with revulsion. Shaking off the bitter memory, she continued,
"From the moment I gained awareness, I was a target for malice. The only person who ever loved me was my mother. But that gentle woman's life was destroyed by the likes of you, those so called 'powerful' figures who tore away everything she deserved to have! So, the day I became my master's disciple, I made a vow. I would change this accursed world! I'll prove that no one is born noble, nor can anyone act recklessly as if they have a divine right to. I'll create a world where everyone is equal gods included!"
Tang Wulin's face was a mixture of fear and fury. This woman wanted to eradicate the entire system he believed in, the hierarchy that allowed those like him to thrive. As a beneficiary of privilege, Tang Wulin never saw anything wrong with the Haotian Sect or the empires commanding the commoners, exploiting them. These people were meant to fuel the rise of those born with potential, not to fight back.
Abandoning any intention of stealth, Tang Wulin raised his Sea God Trident, declaring, "You're insane, Huo Yuhao! If everyone were truly equal, the world would descend into chaos!"
Huo Yuhao raised her Voidless Sword in response, prepared to strike as she spoke.
"I know absolute equality leads to chaos. But what I want is relative fairness, the spread of kindness, and an end to you 'highborns' trampling over the common folk. Without our powers as soul masters and gods, we're no different from any other human. Would you still dare to call yourself the 'Son of the Gods,' to demand all your unearned privileges?
"If, stripped of everything, you still find contentment in that title, then congratulations, Tang Wulin. You'll be even more contemptible to me than you are now. Even your father's teacher, Yu Xiaogang a man of noble birth but negligible power knew that the weak hold no privilege. Your insistence only shows me how truly foolish you are!"
Tang Wulin didn't know much about Yu Xiaogang's story, but if what Huo Yuhao said was true, he did feel slightly embarrassed. Yu Xiaogang had been his father's teacher a man of profound wisdom, no doubt. He couldn't allow himself to be seen as the foolish one here.
Tang Wulin steeled himself and launched his next attack. He lunged toward Huo Yuhao, his weapon poised to strike. Yet, as he closed in, he saw her standing solemnly, both hands holding her sword, emanating an aura of unparalleled sanctity.
"Domain Expansion: Reincarnation Deathmatch Arena!"
Tang Wulin's eyes widened in horror. The term "Domain Expansion" struck terror deep into him after his fight with Ye Wen. Without external assistance, he and his team might have been utterly defeated by Ye Wen. Later, Da Ming had shared intelligence on Xiao Xiao's domain, further proving to Tang Wulin how formidable the Tianxing women truly were.
Though he'd hoped Tang San might help, the gods of the Divine Realm were all watching now. Tang San couldn't intervene to supply him with the secrets of the Domain Expansion technique as he had with Four Word Battle Armor.
Tang Wulin had always told himself that the Tianxing girls' domains couldn't be on par with Ye Wen's, yet Huo Yuhao's relentless attacks and infuriating taunts made him lose his composure. As his surroundings blurred, he realized too late that he was in a completely unfamiliar place.
"Where…is this?" Tang Wulin murmured, instinctively raising his Sea God Trident and activating his divine sense.
But to his shock, he discovered that he had become a mortal, completely stripped of divine power and even his soul force.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 627: The Ultimate Divine Battle, Part Sixteen
One second, Tang Wulin possessed boundless power; the next, all his extraordinary abilities had vanished. This drastic loss left a gaping void in his heart, and he looked down in disbelief at his own hands.
These were the hands of a lifetime martial artist, roughened by years of training, capable of turning him into a formidable opponent with a mere hint of soul power. But now, they were just well trained, human hands, ordinary and vulnerable.
Then, Huo Yuhao's cold voice pierced the silence.
"This is my domain: Reincarnation Deathmatch Arena. In this space, both you and I are stripped of all extraordinary powers. There are no other rules here; you can summon any weapon you can imagine, and it will appear in your hands. Here, we settle this as mere mortals."
Tang Wulin looked up, his gaze fixating on Huo Yuhao's flawless face, now imbued with an almost unbearable arrogance. But as he listened to her explain the rules of this world, a sneer crept onto his lips.
"This is your big strategy to kill me? How laughable! Didn't you know that I'm a direct disciple of the Tang Sect?"
With a thought, Tang Wulin summoned a barrage of hidden weapons into his hands.
Tang Sect Secret Technique: Hundred Hidden Weapons.
In an instant, a storm of hidden weapons hurtled towards Huo Yuhao. Like his father, Tang San, he treated these subtle weapons more like a machine gun in direct combat, foregoing subtlety for sheer power.
But Huo Yuhao was unperturbed, her golden eyes observing his attack with sharp calm. To her, the onslaught moved slowly, riddled with gaps. She summoned a simple longsword and deflected only the weapons that would reach her, avoiding the rest with practiced grace. Within moments, she broke through his first wave of attacks and advanced quickly.
Seeing his initial move fail didn't shake Tang Wulin. This battle was just beginning. Yet, as he noticed Huo Yuhao's steady gaze, a thought formed in his mind. In the next moment, soft, pink rabbit ears appeared on his head.
Martial Soul Possession: Soft Bone Rabbit!
"Just as I thought," he muttered. "Although soul power can't be used here, I can still activate my bloodline's inherent martial soul."
Tang Wulin hadn't inherited the complex martial skills of the Soft Bone Rabbit, like Eight Stage Drop, because he hadn't spent his youth with Xiao Wu. But even a basic power boost from his martial soul could make a difference in this kind of fight.
With his hands full of throwing weapons once again, he resumed his Hundred Hidden Weapons technique. This time, there was something different.
In this domain, all extraordinary powers including spiritual senses were nullified, so Huo Yuhao's enhanced vision was her only advantage. Her martial soul, the Reincarnation Goddess, could no longer unleash its soul skills, though it did grant her a small boost in physical prowess.
Huo Yuhao deflected the second barrage with her sword, as before, but Tang Wulin had incorporated a more complex tactic.
Tang Sect Technique: Sound East, Strike West.
Using the first wave of hidden weapons as a smokescreen, he launched a silent, precise strike from a blind angle. When he was a child, even Tang San had once used this technique to subdue a Mandala Snake.
Yet, as a hidden weapon hurtled silently toward her from behind, Huo Yuhao didn't even turn her head. She merely raised her sword, deflecting it with effortless precision.
Before Tang Wulin could react, she closed the gap between them.
At this range, his hidden weapons were useless. Summoning a trident resembling the Sea God Trident, he faced her blade directly.
Yet, despite wielding a long weapon, Tang Wulin found himself visibly outmatched, each clash forcing him back. Undeterred, he sneered.
"So this is the real you playing tricks and hiding behind cheap words. What was all that about stripping extraordinary power? How else could you block a hidden weapon you couldn't see? You're as hypocritical as your master, pretending to be righteous when you're just another pretentious fraud."
Huo Yuhao didn't react to his insults. She simply knocked him back with a powerful blow and held her ground.
"You're just as unimpressive as I expected," she said with disappointment. "To be perfectly clear, I'm not using any extraordinary power in this fight. All I need is my gaze locked on you to assess the consequences of every move you make, anticipating each of your attacks. This is the result of ten years of relentless combat training.
"So don't judge me by your shallow standards, Tang Wulin. And enough with your theatrics I know you're building up to something. Whatever your so called 'trump card' may be, use it. I'll defeat you directly, so you can finally see that this era belongs to me."
Tang Wulin's expression darkened, though he couldn't quite believe Huo Yuhao had truly refined her skills to this supernatural level. To accept that would be to admit she was better.
Besides, he still needed a little more time to complete his preparations. In his heart, he knew that this would be the winning move.
With newfound resolve, he voiced his doubts.
"Tell me, Huo Yuhao what's the purpose of this domain of yours? Weakening both our states just creates an unnecessary disadvantage. At your peak, you could have crushed me with ease, so why bother with this?"
Huo Yuhao readied her stance as he charged up his final attack.
"Can't you see the point of my domain? It seems your vision is just as short sighted as the rest of you.
"I told you before, Tang Wulin, I'm not like you. I don't rely on my position to crush others. You can't always pick on the weak. This domain was created for enemies who are stronger than me.
"When I face such an opponent, I forcefully draw them into this space, stripping away both our extraordinary powers. Then, using the skills I've honed through years of hardship, I eliminate them with my own hands."
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 628: The Ultimate Divine Battle, Part Seventeen
As Huo Yuhao's final words faded, the battle resumed in an instant.
Tang Wulin no longer cared whether his opponent had brought him, the weaker fighter, into this domain as a mockery of his weakness or for any other reason. All he wanted now was to unleash his strongest attack to prove himself.
Tang Sect's most powerful hidden weapon technique: Guanyin's Tear.
This was the ultimate skill of the Tang Sect, known to bypass all defenses with an attack so overwhelming it could make even Guanyin weep. Tang San himself never fully understood its principles, only the method to wield it.
To use it, one had to master the highest level of Xuantian Gong, the Three Blossoms Gathering at the Crown, and achieve the pinnacle of skills like Mysterious Jade Hands, Controlling Crane and Capturing Dragon, and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. Only then could one unleash this ultimate hidden weapon technique, a move that would drain all of the user's power in an instant.
Though Tang Wulin couldn't fully utilize it due to the restrictions of the Reincarnation Deathmatch Arena, he had channeled his energies into this one move, managing to capture a sliver of its essence.
A translucent crystal bead appeared in his hand, shooting toward Huo Yuhao's heart at an imperceptible speed. The attack drained Tang Wulin entirely.
Before he could even feel the weight of his exhaustion, a loud clang rang out.
A sense of foreboding surged within him.
Rallying his fading mental strength, Tang Wulin looked on in disbelief at the scene before him.
A massive shield or rather, a sword as wide as a door stood between Huo Yuhao and his attack, shielding her completely.
Huo Yuhao's voice echoed from behind the giant sword.
"How foolish you are, Tang Wulin. Didn't I tell you? While this world restricts supernatural abilities, you can still summon any weapon you want. So why did you think that your pathetic hidden weapon could pierce through a barrier several times thicker than it?"
She stepped out from behind the massive sword, her slender hand gripping a much smaller blade.
"Even if your hidden weapon is extraordinary enough to penetrate this sword, I can summon a second one...or a third. What good would your attack be then?
"Honestly, Tang Wulin, you're as reckless as ever. You still charge forward blindly without assessing your opponent's abilities."
Tang Wulin's expression shifted from shock and disbelief to one of defeat. He accepted it. In this divine battle, he had utterly lost.
"So… I'm going to die?" Tang Wulin whispered, a rare trace of fear in his eyes. For the first time, he faced true terror.
But the next moment, he felt his divine power return.
Before he could comprehend what was happening, Huo Yuhao spoke once more.
"Someone like you doesn't even deserve to be my opponent."
As her words ended, both fighters returned to the real world.
Huo Yuhao glanced toward Tang Ya, who was locked in combat with the Speed God, Song Lao, and called out to her.
"Tang Ya, switch."
At that moment, Tang Ya had been using her unique dark domain to restrict Song Lao's speed and had the upper hand. Upon hearing Huo Yuhao's command, she immediately dismissed her domain and redirected her attack toward Tang Wulin.
With his divine power restoring his strength, Tang Wulin reflexively raised the Sea God Trident to block Tang Ya's incoming strike.
"I've completely defeated this weakling," Huo Yuhao said coldly, "in both skill and strength. He has no value left. I leave him to you, Tang Ya. Finish your revenge, and then I'll put an end to this pointless war."
Her words made Tang Wulin's face twist with rage. As much as he hated to admit it, Huo Yuhao's assessment of his weakness was true, yet her callousness tore at his pride.
"Huo Yuhao!!!" he roared. "You think I'm just some worthless tool?!"
But before he could say more, Tang Ya drove her Dark Spear toward him, forcing him back into the fray.
"Eyes on me, Tang Wulin. It's time to settle what's between us."
With a disdainful glance, Huo Yuhao turned away from him. "A tool? You're nothing more than a stepping stone to prove my own worth."
She left Tang Wulin behind, his face twisted in anger, and moved to engage Song Lao. To her, it was like a tiger amidst lambs within moments, she had inflicted serious wounds on the Speed God and Battle God alike.
Watching his carefully assembled team being crushed so easily, Tang Wulin's anger consumed him. He unleashed his divine power, frantically activating his Sea God Thirteen Forms in a desperate attempt to resist.
But his techniques were relics of an ancient era, long surpassed.
Tang Ya planted her Dark Spear into the ground, her expression grim. She clasped her hands, forming a twisted hand seal.
"Domain Expansion: Tang Sect Judgment!"
Dense, dark energy surged from beneath her feet, sweeping over Tang Wulin in a tide.
Enraged, Tang Wulin shouted, "Not another domain battle!"
Meanwhile, in the Divine Realm…
The Seven Elemental Gods exchanged glances, watching the one sided battle with satisfaction. They had not only chosen the perfect successors, but they also saw in them the promise of a new path forward. This was truly a victory.
But while the Seven Elemental Gods were pleased, Tang San's face grew darker. This war for Douluo Star's spiritual future had ended in his utter defeat.
With this, the Tang family had lost its right to draw upon the faith of Douluo Continent, a cornerstone of its spiritual power.
Because Tang San had neglected to foster Sea God worship, building that faith outside Douluo Continent would be a long, arduous task. As for rekindling belief in the Shura God, Tang San had no intention of doing so.
With the Tianxing Knights, an organization dedicated to eliminating evil soul masters, who needed a domain solely for holding evildoers?
Looking at his subordinates one after another falling to Huo Yuhao's assault Tang San was overcome by a sense of dread.
Chapter 629: Judgment of the Elements, Part One
Many story enthusiasts love reading about scrappy, underdog armies toppling elite forces. To them, established troops often seem like nothing but nepotism in action, prompting a sense of "if they can do it, so can I!" This can inflate into the idea that these so called elite troops are nothing more than inept good for nothings.
But reality is often harsher than fiction. A well trained, well equipped army doesn't fall so easily to a band of misfits. Unless, of course, they're led by an extraordinary tactical genius.
Tang Wulin's side appeared stronger, boasting eight gods compared to Huo Yuhao's seven. However, apart from Tang Wulin and Ma Xiaotao, the rest of his group consisted of gods created through forced cultivation and resources. Their understanding of divine laws was shallow, and the other six hadn't even completed the Trial of the Heart or inherited any specialized techniques they were essentially novices thrust onto the battlefield.
How could they possibly defeat Huo Yuhao's team, backed by a disciplined corps of Elemental Gods?
As the battle wore on, each member of the Sea God Alliance was taken down one by one. Finally, Ma Xiaotao fell under the fierce attack of Ye Jin'er's Flame Wheel. With Tang Wulin as the last one standing, no one else in the Sea God Alliance could continue the fight.
In the Divine Realm, Ma Hongjun watched this scene, his expression one of dazed desolation. Sighing deeply, he summoned his flame covered wings and approached Ye Wen.
"Lord Ye Wen, would you be willing to do me a favor? Please spare my successor."
Ye Wen glanced at him, noting how time and sorrow had transformed this once carefree, impulsive young man.
"And why should I do that? The Divine Realm is forbidden from meddling in mortal affairs."
He shifted his gaze to the nearby Destruction God, then glanced meaningfully toward Tang San.
Realizing the implication, Tang San's expression darkened as his piercing gaze fixed on Ye Wen.
The Destruction God weighed in as well. "Ye Wen is correct. Divine Realm interference in mortal matters is strictly prohibited. And since you have already renounced the position of Phoenix God, you should leave now."
Ma Hongjun was silent for a moment, then bowed slightly, his expression conflicted.
"Once, I was too weak to protect my wife. I lost her… so this time, I hope to save my descendant. I understand that I am violating Divine Realm law by making this request, and that it may be shameless of me. But I am willing to offer her loyalty to your disciple as a pledge, if it means you would spare her life."
The Destruction God said nothing, simply observing with interest how this newly ascended God of Wisdom would respond.
Ye Wen's gaze flickered as he looked at Ma Xiaotao, defeated yet unwavering in her resolve.
He remembered that he had once helped solve her spirit's flaws himself.
After a pause, Ye Wen spoke. "Very well. I accept your proposal. However, pledging loyalty is a choice she must make herself; human hearts are fickle. I would rather not risk her betraying my disciple in the future."
With that, Ye Wen closed his eyes, using his divine sense to connect with Huo Yuhao on the Douluo Continent.
Ma Hongjun finally let out a sigh of relief. He had managed to protect his kin.
Although he hadn't been aware of Jiang Nannan's use of a divine consciousness infused battle armor in combat, he had suspected that someone as cunning as Ye Wen ascending to godhood so rapidly, with plans layered on top of one another wouldn't leave Douluo Continent without contingency measures. And it seemed he'd guessed right.
At that moment, Huo Yuhao, wielding her Kongming Sword, was leading the five other goddesses to corner Da Ming, Er Ming, and the remaining enemy gods. Then, she suddenly froze, her body slightly trembling as Ye Wen's message reached her.
Ye Wen had not ordered her outright; instead, he left the decision to her. Huo Yuhao pondered deeply.
In Ye Wen's original plan, Tang Wulin and his allies were to perish on Douluo Continent, their shattered godhood returning to nourish this world that had birthed so many gods. Yet, Ye Wen had also stressed the importance of cultivating talent as a reserve against future crises.
Ma Xiaotao, with her Ultimate Spirit, was undoubtedly a fit candidate for this mission.
The issue was her history with Shrek Academy. However, Huo Yuhao recalled that the Speed God, Song Lao, was hardly worth mentioning, a figure who couldn't even reach the rank of Ultimate Douluo on his own. The Battle God, Xuan Lao, was another story; with his exceptional talent, he had nearly achieved Level 99 simply by enjoying food and drink.
If she could bring these three into her fold, the reward would be substantial.
With that thought, Huo Yuhao turned to Ma Xiaotao. "Ma Xiaotao, consider yourself fortunate. Your ancestor in the Divine Realm pleaded with my teacher on your behalf, seeking mercy for you. In exchange, you must pledge loyalty to me. So, tell me, what is your decision?"
Still gathering her divine power to stage a last ditch attack, Ma Xiaotao froze, her expression one of shock.
After the crushing battle they'd just endured, she knew full well that she and her comrades were no match for Huo Yuhao's team. Yet as Shrek Academy's "pride of heaven," she was loath to submit.
Before Ma Xiaotao could respond, Xuan Lao missing an arm and a leg laid his hand on her shoulder.
Turning to look at him, she saw the weariness etched into his face.
"Xiaotao, accept the offer," he said.
She opened her mouth to argue that she would never surrender Shrek's honor, but Xuan Lao continued, "Have you not understood yet? She intends to kill us."
A chill ran through Ma Xiaotao. She had focused so much on Huo Yuhao's demand for her allegiance that she'd overlooked the alternative her death. Years of being treated like royalty had left her convinced no one would dare kill her.
Now fully aware of the gravity of her situation, she gathered her remaining divine power, ready to unleash it. "I will never abandon my comrades. Kill me if you must, but I won't submit!"
Huo Yuhao didn't flinch at her passionate words. Her response was cold and unfeeling: "Very well. You've made your choice. You will die with them."
Ma Xiaotao stood firm, prepared to say, "Yes, I would rather die than betray my comrades."
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Chapter 630: Judgment of the Elements, Part Two
But an unexpected scene suddenly played out.
To everyone's surprise, the heavily injured Xuan Lao, with only one arm left, sprang up and used his sole remaining hand to press Ma Xiaotao's head down, pinning her firmly to the ground.
"Enough, Xiaotao!" he growled.
Ma Xiaotao, unharmed but furious, struggled under his grip. "Xuan Lao, what are you doing?!"
Both at the peak of the God Officer level, Xuan Lao's earth attribute held an innate advantage over Ma Xiaotao's Ultimate Fire, allowing him to keep her subdued.
Keeping her pinned, Xuan Lao looked up at Huo Yuhao. "Oh, God of Space, as this girl's elder, I accept the terms you set. I'll ensure she remains utterly loyal to you. I ask you to forgive her rashness."
Huo Yuhao observed the old man for a moment. They hadn't interacted much in the past; her impression of Xuan Lao had always been that he was crude and unrefined. Yet now, he seemed to have aged a decade more, appearing frail and solemn.
"Fine," she replied. "Convince her quickly; you don't have much time."
With that, she turned her gaze to the black sphere hovering above them, the shell of Tang Ya's encapsulating domain.
Seeing Huo Yuhao refrain from pressing further, Xuan Lao breathed a sigh of relief. He released his hold on Ma Xiaotao, who immediately pulled back, her voice full of resentment.
"Xuan Lao, why did you do that? You've shamed Shrek's honor! Isn't it better to die?"
Despite his newly divine status, Xuan Lao looked more weathered than ever. The weight of his words carried the pain of a lifetime.
"Xiaotao, death isn't what frightens me. But if the three of us die here, Shrek Academy will truly be no more."
Confused, Ma Xiaotao fell silent, struggling to understand. Unlike Xuan Lao, she had been granted her godhood directly by her beloved ancestor. It was a privilege she had accepted, hoping to reignite the glory of the former Shrek Seven Devils. The intricate webs behind the war, the complexities these were beyond her grasp.
Xuan Lao's thinking wasn't too far ahead either, but as someone who had joined the Sea God Alliance out of loyalty, he understood that their failure would mean the fall of Shrek Academy. Yet just when he had lost all hope, Huo Yuhao's offer had presented a ray of salvation. Her words were like a beacon piercing the endless darkness, offering him a chance to preserve Shrek's legacy.
He shared all of this with Ma Xiaotao, leaving her visibly shaken.
Clinging to life, though it might stain Shrek's honor, was a necessary compromise. What was honor worth if Shrek Academy ceased to exist altogether? Ma Xiaotao fell into silent contemplation.
At that moment, a powerful crash sounded from above. The outer shell of Tang Ya's domain shattered. Though she bore a few injuries, Tang Wulin plummeted from the sky, his divine armor shattered and body bruised and bloodied. He fell to the dirt below like a broken doll, devoid of even a trace of divine energy.
In the Divine Realm, Ma Hongjun saw Ma Xiaotao's conflicted expression and let out a silent sigh of relief. Though she hadn't yet committed, it was clear her fervor to die a martyr's death had softened. Given the choice between survival and dying for nothing, he believed his descendant would choose wisely.
But someone else was far from satisfied. Tang San's expression fluctuated as he watched his son lying broken on the ground below. Rage filled him, and he turned on Ye Wen, demanding an answer.
"God of Wisdom, what does your disciple mean by this? Are they planning to kill gods now?"
Standing firm beside the Destruction God, Ye Wen remained calm, glancing dismissively at Tang San.
"The Divine Realm prohibits gods from slaying one another, yes. But the mortal world has no such restriction. And if I remember correctly, the tales of Douluo Continent state that you, Sea God Tang San, once killed both the Rakshasa God and the Angel God. So what are you nervous about, 'Divine King'?"
Though Ye Wen didn't bring up the saying about how some "only allow officials to light fires while forbidding commoners to hold candles," his meaning was clear to all present. Many of the gods chuckled to themselves, catching on to Tang San's blatant double standards.
Tang San's fury only intensified. Still, knowing that Ye Wen was technically right, he forced down his anger and addressed him in a low tone.
"Spare my son and the other gods, and as the God of Shura, I will owe you a favor."
Though his words suggested humility, Tang San was already devising his next move. With Douluo Continent now closed to him as a source of faith, he couldn't cultivate followers on any of the Divine Realm's satellite worlds either. His only option was to retreat to the farthest reaches of the cosmos and find a new planet to rebuild his following, safe from the Divine Realm's laws.
After all, as Divine King Tang, master of Shura, he had the strength to travel wherever he wished among the stars. Why be limited to this small, restrictive Divine Realm?
To Tang San's shock, Ye Wen declined outright.
"You're refusing me?" Tang San's disbelief was palpable.
Ye Wen nodded calmly. "Frankly, Divine King Shura, your favor holds no value for me. I live by the law and have no intention of offending you, so I doubt I'll ever need it. Why would I sacrifice the benefits of eight god positions for a favor that's utterly worthless to me?"
His logic was flawless, extinguishing Tang San's hope of freeloading. Fury overcame Tang San, and his divine power erupted, an aura of crimson Shura energy flooding forth. But equally fierce was the sudden surge of Destruction God energy, meeting him head on.
Destruction God fixed a cold gaze on Tang San. "Tang San, watch yourself."
But pushed to the edge, Tang San couldn't back down so easily. They stood in tense silence, neither willing to give way, until the other Divine Kings intervened, releasing their own oppressive auras to weigh down on him.
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